The SGLG is an institutionalized incentive, honor, and recognition-based program of the Department on the exemplary governance of LGUs to uphold transparency, accountability, and effective public service delivery.

According to the DILG, there is a need to recalibrate the SGLG to support long-term solutions, and not just annual compliance; streamline indicators to focus on measurable impact; and improve funding mechanisms for fairer and more effective distribution.

From an annual assessment, the SGLG will shift to a term-based assessment structure to align with the three-year term of local chief executives.  This will provide LGUs adequate time to implement substantial reforms and achieve measurable results.

The DILG will also consolidate SGLG’s ten governance areas into three key outcome areas, namely innovation, fiscal management, and crisis resilience to make the assessment more precise and focused.

Moreover, the SGLG Incentive Fund allocation shall ensure the long-term impact of the funds by considering the socio-economic disparities among LGUs and innovations addressing unique challenges, among others.

The DILG urges LGUs to shift their efforts towards preparing for the assessment on the succeeding cycles while awaiting for the new guidelines.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the amendments regarding the reduction of governance area indicators, adjustment on the timeline of the assessment cycles, and the establishment of a board of judges for the SGLG program.

There were 714 SGLG awardees last year, 22 among them were consistent passers since its inception.